Bournda Lagoon via North Tura Lookout

The Bournda Lagoon track is a wonderful walk around the Lagoon, exploring the surrounding area. Bournda Lagoon and Sandy Beach Creek support some lush vegetation, including a rain forest, on their shores. The walk is well signposted with the option to miss the North Tura section of the walk and head back to the car park. Don’t forget to take your swimmers for a dip at Bournda Lagoon on your way back.

Bournda Beach picnic area

Bournda Beach picnic area is found next to Bournda Lagoon car park, in Bournda National Park. The picnic area is shaded by the trees behind Bournda Beach, which is between Tathra and Merimbula. The picnic area has modest facilities with a few picnic tables, BBQ pit and a toilet nearby. The picnic area is a great place to eat lunch before heading down to Bournda Beach or Lagoon, which are only a stroll away through the bush.

(0km) Bournda Lagoon Carpark → Bournda Lagoon Lookout

240 m

5 mins

6m

-8m

Hard track

From the intersection, this walk heads along the car park (on the right) to the signposted intersection at the other corner of the car park. The walk then follows the sign ‘Bournda Walking Track’ down the hill. The track winds for a short time to come to a ‘Walking Track’ signposted intersection before the lagoon.Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow on the sign ‘Walking Track’ keeping the lagoon on the left. The track soon meets a signposted hill, which it heads up, coming to an signposted intersection on the left.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to the lookout. The track winds through the trees, up onto a rocky platform overlooking the lagoon and beach.

Hard track

Turn around: From the lookout, this walk heads away from the unfenced rock edge and into the trees. The track keeps the lagoon below on the right as it winds through the trees to a signposted intersection.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Walking Track’, winding up the hill, then turning left and soon coming to a ‘Walking Track’ signposted intersection.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Walking Track’ arrow down the steps. The steps lead the walk beneath a line of cliffs, then the track turns left, down the hill, entering an area of rainforest vegetation (which is signposted). The track then continues down closer to the water where it turns right, and keeps the lagoon on the left for some time. The track then passes a whole lot of seats with a signpost marked ‘Study Area 1’. The track continues past this to more closely follow the waterline, on the left, coming to ‘Study Area 2’. The walk passes over a log then follows the track markers along the creek bank. The track then turns left, up the hill, and follows a rocky path over the hill and down to a dry creek crossing. The track crosses to the other side, where there is a signpost.Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the arrow up the rocky hill. The track winds along the hillside, with Sandy Beach Creek below on the right. The track soon descends from the hill, meandering through the bush, tending left (away from the creek) to a well-signposted intersection.

Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Bournda Lagoon via Bournda Headland’ sign, tending left down the hill. The walk heads straight past a ‘Kunzea’ sign to the right, before passing over numerous speed bump like mounds on a white dirt path. The track continues straight up this hill to wind past a ‘Melaleuca’ sign to the left of the track. From here, the track meanders down the hill to a signposted intersection. Now Veer left to rejoin the main walk .

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Nth Tura Carpark’ down the hill. The sandy track meanders through the heath to a signposted intersection.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Nth Tura Carpark’, heading down the track through the thick heath. The track winds a little as it passes into areas of open and closed heath, and also passes a ‘Walking Track’ sign. The walk continues for a short time to meet a signposted intersection with picnic tables at the car park.Turn right: From the intersection, the walk heads away from the face of the ‘North Tura Beach’ sign[1] initially the picnic tables to your right. The walk leads gently uphill along the wide gravel track, past the large ‘Welcome to North Tura Beach’ information sign[2], and toilet

to come to an intersection beside the car park marked with a timber ‘North Tura Beach’ sign[3].Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Viewing Platform’ sign[4], towards the lookout. The walk leads along the gravel path, around the timber bollard[5] then up the fiberglass ramp (1.5m wide), keeping a timber fence either side.

North Tura Lookout

North Tura Beach Lookout is between Tathra and Merimbula in Bournda National Park. The lookout platform (4.6×4.6m) has stunning views[6] over North Tura Beach, all the way south to Tura Headland[7] and out to sea. The lookout is also a perfect viewing point for Turingal Head[8] and Bournda Island. The fence[9] is 91cm high and the ramp leading up is 1.5m wide[10].

North Tura Beach

North Tura Beach is located north of Merimbula and Tura Heads. The beach is a beautiful expanse of sand of nearly 2.5km, stretching from Tura Heads to Bournda Island in the north. North Tura is an easterly-facing beach which is accessed by Widgeram Rd off the Sapphire Coast Drive.

Moderate track

Turn around: From the lookout, the walk heads away from the beach views[11] down the ramp. The walk then leads along a track, around a timber bollard[12] to come to an intersection just before the car park marked with a ‘Viewing Platform’ sign[13] pointing back up.Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Walking tracks’ arrow[14] along the wide gravel path keeping the car park to the left. The path leads behind the large ‘Welcome to North Tura Beach’ information sign[15], and toilet

(on your left). The intersection is marked with a ‘North Tura Beach’ sign[16].Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Steps to Beach 80m’ down the hill. The walk winds down through the melaleuca trees to an unsignposted intersection with a set of stairs.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the stairs down the hill and through the heath and then onto the beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection with the stairs, the walk heads behind the dunes, keeping the ocean to the right. The track winds through the trees behind the dunes and has some views of the ocean. The track soon comes to a signposted intersection.Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Bournda Lagoon via Bournda Headland’, keeping the ocean on the right of the track. The track winds behind the dunes to soon come to a signposted intersection.

(4.46km) Int. Bournda Lagoon and Island Trks → Bournda Island

280 m

5 mins

8m

-8m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the sign to ‘Bournda Island’ over the dune and down some stairs onto the beach.Veer left: From the bottom of the steps, this walk heads away from the stairs and across the beach towards Bournda Island. The walk continues along the sand to a small cave feature at the base of the island.Veer right: From the intersection, the walk keeps the cave feature on the right and climbs up the ridge of rock. The track winds along the left-hand side of the island, with the ocean below on the left. The walk heads up onto the hill with views of both North Tura and Bournda Beaches. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Bournda Island

Bournda Island separates Bournda and North Tura beaches, and is located between Tathra and Merimbula. The island is joined to the mainland by a tombola beach, which can be submerged by the tide to form a real island. Bournda Island is covered in low dune shrub vegetation species that are perched on top of the rocky island. Access to the island is at low tide from Bournda or North Tura beaches. Bournda Island can also be accessed from the Bournda Lagoon via Headland Track.

(4.46km) Int. Bournda Lagoon and Island Trks → Bournda Bch Sth

170 m

3 mins

0m

-8m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Bournda Lagoon’, following the white fencing. The walk keeps the ocean on the right as it winds down to a grassy lookout on the right of the track (with fantastic views of Bournda Island). The walk then heads down some stairs to a signposted intersection on the beach.

(4.63km) Bournda Bch Sth → Bournda Lagoon

460 m

8 mins

8m

0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the beach, with the ocean on the right, and the lagoon behind the dunes, to the left. The walk continues up the beach, tending left over the dunes to the shore next to the lagoon, and stairs leading up the hill.

Bournda Lagoon

Bournda Lagoon has formed behind Bournda Beach, between Tathra and Merimbula in Bournda National Park. The lagoon is deep enough for swimming and is a popular spot for a freshwater swim. The lagoon is fed by Sandy Beach Creek, which has been silted up at the southernmost end of Bournda Beach. The lagoon supports a variety of environments, including a rainforest, on its shores. However, the lagoon is subject to environmental issues such as algal blooms. The lagoon can be accessed by bush track from Bournda Lagoon car park, at the end of Bournda Rd. More info.

(5.09km) Bournda Lagoon → Bournda Lagoon Car Park

140 m

2 mins

3m

0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lagoon, the walk heads away from the lagoon up the wooden stairs on the bushy hill. The track continues past a toilet block (on your right) and then a gate into the car park.

Bournda Beach picnic area

Bournda Beach picnic area is found next to Bournda Lagoon car park, in Bournda National Park. The picnic area is shaded by the trees behind Bournda Beach, which is between Tathra and Merimbula. The picnic area has modest facilities with a few picnic tables, BBQ pit and a toilet nearby. The picnic area is a great place to eat lunch before heading down to Bournda Beach or Lagoon, which are only a stroll away through the bush.

Maps for the Bournda Lagoon via North Tura Lookout walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

2km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.5km is very steep. Whilst another 1.5km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 160m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

2.9km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 2.2km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 60m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 60m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 5km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 120m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 5km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 3.9km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

3.2km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.3km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (720m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bournda Lagoon via North Tura Lookout walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bourndnp-blvntl
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the South Coast weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bourndnp-blvntl
Forecast snapshot